Adding a dash of dignity

Irvin Ashford Jr., senior vice president of Comerica Bank, spends much of his time teaching financial literacy to people in low- to moderate-income areas in Texas. “I am a bridge between the community and the bank,” he says, “sort of the chief translator between those two worlds.”

Lewis, who moved into the center nearly two years ago, wants to open a barbecue restaurant. “I’m trying to get everything in order, and financial courses is definitely something I need to do,” the 54-year-old says.

Lewis hopes to get money from one of the area’s microlenders and needs Ashford’s help. But first Ashford wanted to know whether Lewis could cook.

Price had Lewis make barbecue pork ribs, chicken, links and beans using only makings found in the shelter’s pantry.

Both Ashford and Price were impressed.

“We don’t have all the ingredients or the pit that he would use,” Price says. “I’m telling you, it rocked.”

“It was astounding given where the food came from,” Ashford says. “Freddie’s a long way from opening a restaurant. But maybe he buys a food truck and serves barbecue on the street from it. Or maybe he doesn’t make it as an owner but makes it as a chef. There would be dignity in that.

To post a comment, log into your chosen social network and then add your comment below. Your comments are subject to our Terms of Service and the privacy policy and terms of service of your social network. If you do not want to comment with a social network, please consider writing a letter to the editor.